Over the past few days, the LED bulbs distribution scheme has been under the spotlight, for both, good and bad reasons. The government has begun the distribution of the three free LED bulbs to various households across the state as part of the state-sponsored Jyotirmay scheme, which is in association with the Ujala scheme started by the central government. The central scheme was aimed at promoting LED bulb usage, by proving subsidized bulbs to households. The Goa government took it a step further when the cabinet approved the Jyotirmay scheme, by which each of the 4.88 lakh households that form the consumer base would get the three LED bulbs free, irrespective of the income group they fall under.
Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco has now criticised the scheme, calling it a scam and likening it to the Coalgate scam. He also questioned the number of bulbs, claiming that most households use a minimum of eight bulbs and other equipment which also consumes electricity. He asked why the government wasn’t providing other equipment as well to the consumers. Pacheco did also slam the department of electricity for failing to provide proper electricity bills and for the fluctuations and power failures. The Nuvem MLA is right on some counts. Goa definitely needs to upgrade its power infrastructure. There is a need to find ways to curb all power cuts and handle voltage issues, which are a problem all across Goa but a constant source of frustration on the coastal belt where tourism is a major industry. These facts have been known for a while, but no one has yet acted on it. Perhaps there is a scam in the electricity department, but without proof, all Pacheco is doing is dealing with supposition instead of conclusive proof.
Pacheco is completely off the mark though, when it comes to the LED scheme. When he questioned the timing, since the Assembly elections are around the corner, he has only stated the obvious. But, the merits of the Ujala scheme and Jyotirmay seemed to have passed him by. The LED bulbs will certainly lead to a drop in household expenses but this is just the start. The three free bulbs are only to get consumers on the LED bandwagon. Anyone can then avail of subsidized LED bulbs at the electricity departments across the State.
If Goa’s household power consumption goes down, then the saved power can be sold to industries yet to be set up. That’s just one positive outcome of this. But with the move towards LED bulbs, the State will have a greener outlook. Of course, this cannot be done by just using LED bulbs at home. There is a need for the State government to look at the electricity department a little closer. To start with, there needs to be an immediate ban on incandescent bulbs, followed by another one on CFL bulbs later. Without these, there is no use in pushing an LED, and hence a greener, agenda.
Power infrastructure is another issue. Goa has poor power infrastructure which needs to be upgraded soon. Overhead wires have to be done away with and the end target has to be underground cabling, even in the remotest areas. This is not just a better and modern way to disburse power but will also negate the now regular monsoon power cuts.
The LED schemes will lead to a lower carbon footprint on the power consumption front eventually, but for that to happen it certainly does require a more proactive government. One would hope that this LED scheme is but a small but important step in that direction.
